Search Underway for Missing Swimmer at New River Gorge National River

A search is underway in New River Gorge National River for Abdulrahman Binomran, 28, from Oak Park, Illinois, who is believed to have drowned while swimming yesterday (Thursday, August 24) in the Fayette Station rapids area of the New River.

At approximately 4:50 pm, Binomran was swimming with three friends in the pool above Fayette Station rapids when they decided to swim through the rapids. His companions were able to make it to the shore, but Binomran was not. He disappeared in the section of the river just downstream of the rapids. No one in the group was wearing a life jacket.

Authorities were notified immediately and a search was launched. Searchers from the National Park Service (NPS) and other local agencies worked for several hours on Thursday evening with no success. Search operations resumed this morning (Friday), at 8:00 am. The NPS is using four boats in the search efforts today, and is assisted by trained search and rescue divers and support personnel from the Beaver Volunteer Fire Department, as well as a boat and rescue personnel from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. A total of 25 personnel are assigned to the search at this time.

Local residents and park visitors are reminded that the New River is a high volume river with swift currents, deep holes, and a rocky bottom. Water levels can change daily and conditions in even familiar areas can change quickly. Personal flotation devices (PFDs), or life jackets, are essential safety items and should be worn anytime people are in or around the water, including in a boat. Most drownings in the New River involve people who didn’t plan on being in the water. Even experienced river users can become disoriented or incapacitated during an accident on the river. For more tips on water safety while in the park, visit www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/water-safety.htm.